The Dickinson press., 1887-10-22
A TYPEWR1TER.S WOES.
COMPELLED TO STAND A BATTERY
OF PITlLESS QUESTIONS.
Experience OF . Working Girl While
Hunting for Boarding Place-Nlerci.
less Quizzing-"No Room" for "a We'll
Dressed Young Lady.

Experience OF Working Girl While
Hunting for Boarding Place-Nlerci.
less Quizzing-"No Room" for "a Well
Dressed Young Lady.
u should like to give you all idea of how
we girls are treated wherever we go to look
for boarding places in this city," said young
typewriter to reporter the other day.
"You men can obtain board wherever you
please. and so long as you pay your board
bills and behave yourselves there are no
questions asked; but with girl it is differ
ent. When came to New York I was fresl,
from New England, unknown and without
friends here to give mo help or hints. Con.
sequently had to hunt up boarding place
for myself. After considerable looking
around found quiet appearing house where
the sign stated that hall room was vacant
and that boarders were wanted
SIN answer to my ring kindly looking
matron inquired my business. When | told
her that was looking for a boarding place n
visible change came over her face.
".Who are youf was her somewhat abrupt
question. Then she scanned me as if were
n asuspected thief, for whose capture a reward
had been offered, and without giving me time
to answer this pertinent question, she coll
tinued:
1'Are you marriedf
"'No, am not, said as pleasantly as my
modification would allow.
"'What do you expect to do for living: !:
was her next query.
az am typewriter
"A typewriter! This was said with Il
snecr that might mean volumes.
Have you brother i'll the city or any
male friend who will call OH youH
"'No, my family all live i'll Connecticut
"'Do you keep company with any young
man" Really, was beginning to lose all pa
tience, but managed to say, calmly; 4 tic
not, but what has that to do with the q,lrS
tion of my hiring IL room and paying for ii
in advance?
Observation-Disclosures RESPECT.
"'Havc You got any references
IL don't SEQ why submitted to so much
quizzing. That woman could beat a reporter
asking questions No. replied, but if yo,
want them, suppose could get them from
home in two or three days
"'Well, guess we haven't any room nuw,
and, besides, Id rather have gentlemen wa.
the worthy matron's decision, as she opened
the front door only to shut it quickly behind
me. think went to fully dozen places
only to be treated in the same way AT las,
went to the Young Woman's Christian MS
sociation, where should have gone first.
never was more thankful in my life thar
when, after had been Mt work for Il yeal
and desired to change my place, one of til,
girls i'll our Office invited mo to share lpl
room until was able to find another place
This may all sound very funny to you, but il
was not n funny experience for me; and my
experience is by no means unusual. \ mnl
can getrooms and board whero lie chooses
without references and without questions
but when girl tries to get board for herself
if she is well dressed her character is SouhteIl
and there is mo room for her; people wonder
where she gets her money. If she is poorly
dressed she is naturally not wanted, because
she will lower the reputation of the house.
She must. in self defense. marry or at least
become engaged il she has no male relative
under whose protection she is 1t does seem
asif something might be dono for tho poor
girls who come to the city In this way
There ought to be somebody willing to tax.
them and care for them respectfully and
economically, and do this without sacrificing
the self respect of the girl.-New York
Tribune